The newest capital under Youden's control, Bilkin, was only three hundred miles away from the coalition stronghold of Nyverma, but it felt as if it was closer than ever. As Youden's men continued to push through the warming spring, the resistance only got stronger and more unified, as supply routes had less of a distance to travel. This was ignoring any other geological landmarks as well, such as hills and mountains, slowing down the advancing forces or boosting the defenders massively with time and lives. The initial five-hundred thousand army that was sent across seas quickly learned that despite their success, the maintenance of garrison across thousands of miles of occupied land wouldn't be easy. Thus, the army was now around one million strong, as the war continued.
Youden himself took an interest in his newest possession, the jungle city surrounded by thick trees and a swampy-like river flowing in its middle. The real difficulty of capturing this place was having to deal with the two sides between the waterway and the dense forestry, which led to plenty of ambushes in the two-week period it took to conquer.
"I just love doing this, every time." Youden was in this leader's governing office, surprisingly in good condition from the war, as his advisors watched with worry.
"Yes, of course, sir. But we should really talk about this subject on hand now." one of his men stammered out, "It might cause us some problems, later."
"That being." Youden continued staring through the window, a line of five tarrs passing over one of the city's bridges.
"The uprising with Jamal?"
"What about that lunatic?" Youden turned around, eyes filled with a look of hate, forcing a few of the team to gulp their shock.
"Well," another person chimed in, "It appears that from the latest news, they've managed to completely breakthrough all exterior city defenses, and are now entering the city proper."
"Aren't we prepared?"
"Sir, we obviously are, bu-."
"Then there should be no issue in that case. He'll understand the consequences of his actions soon enough." Youden chuckled carefreely, taking in all his accomplishments.
"But sir, we think that they'll take the city. Eventually."
"Huh?" the man straightened up in his seat, taken aback.
"There's the slim possibility that any success could result in other inspired groups within the mainland attempting to break free from our rule. Their activities are slowly beginning to spread among the civilian population, and we don't know what other ideas they could come up with."
"So fully mobilize the Reserve Guard." Youden waved his hand up, "You have my permission."
"That's already been done."
"It's been that bad?" Youden had their full attention now, pausing to think properly, "And that's still not enough."
"Not enough to effectively spread around the entire continent. If we concentrate all those men on the rebels, it'll give those with ideas free access to wreak havoc and divide the land."
"Any suggestions people? We don't have to ramble off this, I get it!" the leader was getting impatient, veins beginning to pop from his neck, "This is absolutely ridiculous."
"Perhaps, we can send some army soldiers back to alleviate the pressur-." another advisor had a creative idea.
"No, we cannot risk that! I did not waste all my years and months of advances to lose some of our progress. The enemy is right on our doorstep, another month or so and the prize that is our victory would be right there!"
The team of advisors remained silent, not wanting to displease their leader at this stage or time. Giving him time to cool his head would be needed, but they could feel his frustration. Sending several thousand men back could jeopardize the work they've put across the world, and be costly in the process. But if they let Jamal's antics build up and start inspiring others, then everything Youden built up would crumble with it.
"So sir, what's your decision." someone brave enough finally looked him in his eyes, "Do we continue pushing or secure the homeland?"
Youden remained hesitant, although the long pauses helped him think about what he was going to have to do. He'll just simply have to do what was best for him and the people, as long as he remained on top, of course.
"We'll still do both. Send back fifty thousand on the reserve troops we had to garrison our newly controlled land. I'll send in a new order to make a spearhead towards Nyverma, and we'll force them to end this war." Youden sighed, hand covering his face.
"Are you sure? Some of the generals have stated that troop morale has been decreasing with the twenty percent uptick in casualties. A brief paus-"
"No! You will send the general order now to those in charge! Let's combine several of our army groups and have around three hundred thousand men push through to their stronghold now!"
The advisors didn't even argue with Youden, as they hastily got up from their seats and pushed themselves out of the office. The time to push the enemy out of their "little" base was now, and if no one got the memo, they better learn quick now. Youden had to do this, for his dream as the new emperor was so close to be finalized. The dream that wouldn't just change his life, but every living thing on the planet.